France — spirits
Normandy
Premier apple-growing region of France. Source of Calvados (apple brandy) and Pommeau (unfermented apple juice + Calvados). The bocage landscape — hedgerow-enclosed orchards — defines Normandy's interior. Two Calvados AOCs: Calvados Pays d'Auge (double distillation required — finest, most aromatic; Dupont is the benchmark), Calvados Domfrontais (pear mandatory in the blend).
Benchmark products
Vintage assessments
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 83 | Balanced season with adequate rainfall; good natural apple acidity. Classic, well-structured Calvados. |
| 2022 | 87 | Hot drought summer; richest Normandy apple harvest in many years. Record sugar and flavour concentration. |
| 2021 | 82 | Severe spring frosts in May devastated some orchards; very small crop of concentrated fruit. Intense, powerful distillate. |
| 2020 | 84 | Warm, generous summer; excellent apple ripeness across Calvados regions. Full, rounded Calvados with characteristic Normandy apple richness. |
| 2019 | 78 | Cool, wet summer challenged growers but quality producers achieved good concentration through green harvesting. Good acidity, elegant style. |
| 2018 | 88 | Excellent apple harvest; warm, dry summer encouraged full fruit development in Pays d'Auge orchards. Concentrated, intensely fruity Calvados with great ageing potential. |